Category: 2 Samuel

“When you walk and work by faith and not by sight, doing the things in life that makes sense to God, it will make sense to you.” ~ Jon Barnes

Speaks

Your good work and name speak for itself because you are who you say you are. You are not a liar, a cheat, a thief, a prostitute, a pimp, or greedy for fame, fortune, and anti-Love. God speaks through you in your work and deeds, because you speak to God by faith, listening closely with your studies, prayers, heart, body, mind, and soul. Your connection to God is complete and you will not self-destruct from the evil wicked plans of people.

People

People see you coming and they know who you are. Continue to be the light and salt of the world, as a great example for people to clearly understand God’s point of view. My views are not important, relevant, or necessary, because I do not know much. I’m just a man. Since I would rather follow God’s views, my thoughts, work, and ideas line up with what God wants me to do. As a result, the power of God rests on my obedience to Heavenly things, while still being a normal regular person.

Regular

In plain, regular language, I love God, my family, and you. There is no hidden agenda, unnatural motives or schemes to become rich. As long as God is pleased with you, being rich is cool. Even though I am not perfect, I am perfectly walking towards God on the narrow road towards Heaven. My prayer, which is The Lord’s Prayer, is to continue doing my job for God in a way that is excellent, honest, fair, and full of Love. I am thankful and humbled to type these words and share the love. I’m just a regular person.

Today’s Question

Are you just a regular person full of God’s Love, wisdom, kindness, and truth or are you just full of ‘it’?

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2 Samuel 24

David Takes a Census

24 Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census. “Go and count the people of Israel and Judah,” the Lord told him.

2 So the king said to Joab and the commanders[a] of the army, “Take a census of all the tribes of Israel—from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south—so I may know how many people there are.”

3 But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God let you live to see a hundred times as many people as there are now! But why, my lord the king, do you want to do this?”

4 But the king insisted that they take the census, so Joab and the commanders of the army went out to count the people of Israel.5 First they crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer, south of the town in the valley, in the direction of Gad. Then they went on to Jazer,6 then to Gilead in the land of Tahtim-hodshi[b] and to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon.7 Then they came to the fortress of Tyre, and all the towns of the Hivites and Canaanites. Finally, they went south to Judah[c] as far as Beersheba.

8 Having gone through the entire land for nine months and twenty days, they returned to Jerusalem.9 Joab reported the number of people to the king. There were 800,000 capable warriors in Israel who could handle a sword, and 500,000 in Judah.

Judgment for David’s Sin

10 But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.”

11 The next morning the word of the Lord came to the prophet Gad, who was David’s seer. This was the message:12 “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will give you three choices. Choose one of these punishments, and I will inflict it on you.’”

13 So Gad came to David and asked him, “Will you choose three[d] years of famine throughout your land, three months of fleeing from your enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout your land? Think this over and decide what answer I should give the Lord who sent me.”

14 “I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

15 So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel that morning, and it lasted for three days.[e] A total of 70,000 people died throughout the nation, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.16 But as the angel was preparing to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented and said to the death angel, “Stop! That is enough!” At that moment the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

17 When David saw the angel, he said to the Lord, “I am the one who has sinned and done wrong! But these people are as innocent as sheep—what have they done? Let your anger fall against me and my family.”

David Builds an Altar

18 That day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”

19 So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him.20 When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.21 “Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked.

David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the Lord there, so that he will stop the plague.”

22 “Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar.23 I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the Lord your God accept your sacrifice.”

24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver[f] for the threshing floor and the oxen.

25 David built an altar there to the Lord and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the Lord answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

“Do your part and your team, family, and job will thrive and become inspired since God loves a cheerful giver!” ~ Jon Barnes

Cheap

Profit is not the bottom line, the faith of your life’s good work is the bottom line in God! Since you cannot buy God’s attention and acceptance, like you bribe people, friends, and family, you should change this cheapskate thinking. I refuse to be a part of a team of evil, self-centered cheapskates who bark out orders without thought, love, or integrity. As you make money, steady your motives of kindness, mercifulness, and loveliness towards your people.

New Teams

New teams and players are required to move forward when God’s playbook is not being implemented. I laugh when people try to reinvent God and His Plans. God is simply God. Don’t rewrite what is stated in His Book! He is in perfect control of all things with the parameters He has set for us. Understand who is on God’s team, work, and support the cause. The love of money is not your cause.

The Cause

You will not fully understand the cause unless you do the homework, study, and practice the lifestyle God has for you. I cannot do your homework, think, or make you love God, instead of your money, fame, status, title, and pride.My goal is merely to point you to the source of how God works in your life. The game of life is like a brief afternoon. Enjoy the time you spend with your Heavenly Father on earth and smile that you are able to do so because you know Him.

Today’s Question

Do you know God and are you playing on the wrong team with the fake father of lies and wicked ideas?

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2 Samuel 23

David’s Last Words

23 These are the last words of David:

“David, the son of Jesse, speaks—David, the man who was raised up so high,David, the man anointed by the God of Jacob,David, the sweet psalmist of Israel.[a]

2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me;his words are upon my tongue.3 The God of Israel spoke.The Rock of Israel said to me:‘The one who rules righteously,who rules in the fear of God,4 is like the light of morning at sunrise,like a morning without clouds,like the gleaming of the sunon new grass after rain.’

5 “Is it not my family God has chosen?Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me.His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail.He will ensure my safety and success.6 But the godless are like thorns to be thrown away,for they tear the hand that touches them.7 One must use iron tools to chop them down;they will be totally consumed by fire.”

David’s Mightiest Warriors

8 These are the names of David’s mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite,[b] who was leader of the Three[c]—the three mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.[d]

9 Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. Once Eleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had fled.10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the Lord gave him a great victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!

11 Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered at Lehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled,12 but Shammah[e] held his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

13 Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there.14 David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.

15 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.”16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord.17 “The Lord forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men[f] who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

18 Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty.[g] He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three.19 Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty[h] and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

20 There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior[i] from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions[j] of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it.21 Once, armed only with a club, he killed an imposing Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it.22 Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the Three mightiest warriors.23 He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.

24 Other members of the Thirty included:

Asahel, Joab’s brother;Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;25 Shammah from Harod;Elika from Harod;26 Helez from Pelon[k];Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;27 Abiezer from Anathoth;Sibbecai[l] from Hushah;28 Zalmon from Ahoah;Maharai from Netophah;29 Heled[m] son of Baanah from Netophah;Ithai[n] son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);30 Benaiah from Pirathon;Hurai[o] from Nahale-gaash[p];31 Abi-albon from Arabah;Azmaveth from Bahurim;32 Eliahba from Shaalbon;the sons of Jashen;Jonathan33 son of Shagee[q] from Harar;Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai from Maacah;Eliam son of Ahithophel from Giloh;35 Hezro from Carmel;Paarai from Arba;36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah;Bani from Gad;37 Zelek from Ammon;Naharai from Beeroth, the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah;38 Ira from Jattir;Gareb from Jattir;39 Uriah the Hittite.

“When Love orders your steps in the day and you follow God’s Plans, you have graduated to the next level.” ~ Jon Barnes

Credit

You can’t take credit for how God orchestrates your life, but it feels good to see the hand of God flowing like a river, from the biggest gorge into your life.It’s great to see people fishing, hiking, relaxing, and loving the vibe and positive energy from your good work.I can’t relate to any negative energy, because it does not come from me and I will not accept negative vibes. Own the credit for the good work of faith and reject evil things.

Earned

Your obedience earns you the right to freely spread the Love around. People from all around the world will respond to your smile, kind gestures, and polite behavior. The self-control and mature nature of your actions are examples of your graduate status. It is a big deal to improve and graduate at every level, learning something new each day about, how to love. Since you believe in Love, you will love and be loved.

Lovable

God teaches us how to become more lovable, kind, and honest with our relationships, family, jobs, and experiences.We begin to pay closer attention to our spouses, assignments, and efforts to bring people closer together to work as a team and not in isolation. This requires a balance of less technology and more people interaction. Love doesn’t come from things, it comes from God and it is spread around by people like you. Become more lovable.

Today’s Question

Have you graduated from selfish, evil thoughts of your own, so that you may walk in God’s path of being lovable?

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2 Samuel 22

David’s Song of Praise

22 David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul.2 He sang:

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;3 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.He is my shield, the power that saves me,and my place of safety.He is my refuge, my savior,the one who saves me from violence.4 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,and he saved me from my enemies.

5 “The waves of death overwhelmed me;floods of destruction swept over me.6 The grave[a] wrapped its ropes around me;death laid a trap in my path.7 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;yes, I cried to my God for help.He heard me from his sanctuary;my cry reached his ears.

8 “Then the earth quaked and trembled.The foundations of the heavens shook;they quaked because of his anger.9 Smoke poured from his nostrils;fierce flames leaped from his mouth.Glowing coals blazed forth from him.10 He opened the heavens and came down;dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.11 Mounted on a mighty angelic being,[b] he flew,soaring[c] on the wings of the wind.12 He shrouded himself in darkness,veiling his approach with dense rain clouds.13 A great brightness shone around him,and burning coals[d] blazed forth.14 The Lord thundered from heaven;the voice of the Most High resounded.15 He shot arrows and scattered his enemies;his lightning flashed, and they were confused.16 Then at the command of the Lord,at the blast of his breath,the bottom of the sea could be seen,and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

17 “He reached down from heaven and rescued me;he drew me out of deep waters.18 He rescued me from my powerful enemies,from those who hated me and were too strong for me.19 They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress,but the Lord supported me.20 He led me to a place of safety;he rescued me because he delights in me.21 The Lord rewarded me for doing right;he restored me because of my innocence.22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord;I have not turned from my God to follow evil.23 I have followed all his regulations;I have never abandoned his decrees.24 I am blameless before God;I have kept myself from sin.25 The Lord rewarded me for doing right.He has seen my innocence.

26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful;to those with integrity you show integrity.27 To the pure you show yourself pure,but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.28 You rescue the humble,but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.29 O Lord, you are my lamp.The Lord lights up my darkness.30 In your strength I can crush an army;with my God I can scale any wall.

31 “God’s way is perfect.All the Lord’s promises prove true.He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.32 For who is God except the Lord?Who but our God is a solid rock?33 God is my strong fortress,and he makes my way perfect.34 He makes me as surefooted as a deer,enabling me to stand on mountain heights.35 He trains my hands for battle;he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.36 You have given me your shield of victory;your help[e] has made me great.37 You have made a wide path for my feetto keep them from slipping.

38 “I chased my enemies and destroyed them;I did not stop until they were conquered.39 I consumed them;I struck them down so they did not get up;they fell beneath my feet.40 You have armed me with strength for the battle;you have subdued my enemies under my feet.41 You placed my foot on their necks.I have destroyed all who hated me.42 They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue.They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.43 I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth;I trampled them[f] in the gutter like dirt.

44 “You gave me victory over my accusers.You preserved me as the ruler over nations;people I don’t even know now serve me.45 Foreign nations cringe before me;as soon as they hear of me, they submit.46 They all lose their courageand come trembling[g] from their strongholds.

47 “The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!48 He is the God who pays back those who harm me;he brings down the nations under me49 and delivers me from my enemies.You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;you save me from violent opponents.50 For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;I will sing praises to your name.51 You give great victories to your king;you show unfailing love to your anointed,to David and all his descendants forever.”

“The look of love and God’s creation is universally His fingerprint, stamp, and fruit of His Spirit onto all things.” ~ Jon Barnes

The Print

The printed book of the Bible is a marvelous wonder for people to discover their Father of Love.Just read it and see for yourself.The stories are wonderfully written and timeless to all people of all ages.The knowledge and wisdom you receive from enjoying the stories will reflect upon your life and children. Share them and improve your life and outlook.

Outlook

Before you can look out, one must look into the Word and simply read each chapter to reflex upon the vast amount of content and information for you to store and use.Your outlook improves when your cup of Spiritual Water is full as you drink daily from God’s unlimited supply.His Water is not contaminated and there is plenty to go around to share with others.

Others

Don’t look to others for solutions to your problems.Look to God and your outlook will print nicely for future generations to discover. Everyone else will also enjoy your newfound wisdom and talent, as you develop the Love of God in your outlook business plan. Print out your schedule and follow God’s plan so you can look like a good fingerprint of God’s Character, with your daily work and conversations.

Today’s Question

Are you prepared to give answers to the tough universal questions people may ask you about God?

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2 Samuel 21

David Avenges the Gibeonites

21 There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the Lord about it. And the Lord said, “The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.”

2 So the king summoned the Gibeonites. They were not part of Israel but were all that was left of the nation of the Amorites. The people of Israel had sworn not to kill them, but Saul, in his zeal for Israel and Judah, had tried to wipe them out.3 David asked them, “What can I do for you? How can I make amends so that you will bless the Lord’s people again?”

4 “Well, money can’t settle this matter between us and the family of Saul,” the Gibeonites replied. “Neither can we demand the life of anyone in Israel.”

“What can I do then?” David asked. “Just tell me and I will do it for you.”

5 Then they replied, “It was Saul who planned to destroy us, to keep us from having any place at all in the territory of Israel.6 So let seven of Saul’s sons be handed over to us, and we will execute them before the Lord at Gibeon, on the mountain of the Lord.[a]”

“All right,” the king said, “I will do it.”7 The king spared Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth,[b] who was Saul’s grandson, because of the oath David and Jonathan had sworn before the Lord.8 But he gave them Saul’s two sons Armoni and Mephibosheth, whose mother was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. He also gave them the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab,[c] the wife of Adriel son of Barzillai from Meholah.9 The men of Gibeon executed them on the mountain before the Lord. So all seven of them died together at the beginning of the barley harvest.

10 Then Rizpah daughter of Aiah, the mother of two of the men, spread burlap on a rock and stayed there the entire harvest season. She prevented the scavenger birds from tearing at their bodies during the day and stopped wild animals from eating them at night.11 When David learned what Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done,12 he went to the people of Jabesh-gilead and retrieved the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan. (When the Philistines had killed Saul and Jonathan on Mount Gilboa, the people of Jabesh-gilead stole their bodies from the public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hung them.)13 So David obtained the bones of Saul and Jonathan, as well as the bones of the men the Gibeonites had executed.

14 Then the king ordered that they bury the bones in the tomb of Kish, Saul’s father, at the town of Zela in the land of Benjamin. After that, God ended the famine in the land.

Battles against Philistine Giants

15 Once again the Philistines were at war with Israel. And when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted.16 Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants[d]; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds,[e] and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him.17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine. Then David’s men declared, “You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?”

18 After this, there was another battle against the Philistines at Gob. As they fought, Sibbecai from Hushah killed Saph, another descendant of the giants.

19 During another battle at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair[f] from Bethlehem killed the brother of Goliath of Gath.[g] The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam!

20 In another battle with the Philistines at Gath, they encountered a huge man[h]with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all, who was also a descendant of the giants.21 But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimea.[i]

22 These four Philistines were descendants of the giants of Gath, but David and his warriors killed them.

“The actions of your faith like the work and lifestyle you live and the fruit of your choices and labor are self-evident, pleasing to God and helpful to others.” ~ Jon Barnes

Hired

You will always have a job when your quality, integrity, and honorable workflows from you. People will notice complement your thoughtfulness, helpfulness, honesty, and competence; whether you believe it or not. It takes work to make sure your talent, character, and lifestyle match what you preach.Eyes are always upon you and your reputation will follow you as well.

Worker Bees

Real people get the work done because they are honest, caring, and full of love. They don’t need a lot of instructions since they see the need. Their willingness to help is not a quality to be taken advantage of. However, God sees and rewards their quality of labor and character.Your character is not based on the things you have and how much money you make. By default, your motives from the heart automatically manifest your character and work ethic.

Works

Continue to do the good works each day and enjoy the wonderful blessings that God will shine on you.Notice and be thankful for the near misses in car accidents, harmful plots, corruption, greed, and lust of the eyes that can befall us. Stay true to the cause of justice, love, honesty, and faithfulness.God will reward your loving work. Enjoy the Good Work, mercy, and grace in your life.

Today’s Question

Does your good work follow you, as you walk, work, and live by faith?

Enjoy The Reading

2 Samuel 20

The Revolt of Sheba

20 There happened to be a troublemaker there named Sheba son of Bicri, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. Sheba blew a ram’s horn and began to chant:

“Down with the dynasty of David!We have no interest in the son of Jesse.Come on, you men of Israel,back to your homes!”

2 So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bicri. But the men of Judah stayed with their king and escorted him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

3 When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to look after the palace and placed them in seclusion. Their needs were provided for, but he no longer slept with them. So each of them lived like a widow until she died.

4 Then the king told Amasa, “Mobilize the army of Judah within three days, and report back at that time.”5 So Amasa went out to notify Judah, but it took him longer than the time he had been given.

6 Then David said to Abishai, “Sheba son of Bicri is going to hurt us more than Absalom did. Quick, take my troops and chase after him before he gets into a fortified town where we can’t reach him.”

7 So Abishai and Joab,[a] together with the king’s bodyguard[b] and all the mighty warriors, set out from Jerusalem to go after Sheba.8 As they arrived at the great stone in Gibeon, Amasa met them. Joab was wearing his military tunic with a dagger strapped to his belt. As he stepped forward to greet Amasa, he slipped the dagger from its sheath.[c]

9 “How are you, my cousin?” Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him.10 Amasa didn’t notice the dagger in his left hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it so that his insides gushed out onto the ground. Joab did not need to strike again, and Amasa soon died. Joab and his brother Abishai left him lying there and continued after Sheba.

11 One of Joab’s young men shouted to Amasa’s troops, “If you are for Joab and David, come and follow Joab.”12 But Amasa lay in his blood in the middle of the road, and Joab’s man saw that everyone was stopping to stare at him. So he pulled him off the road into a field and threw a cloak over him.13 With Amasa’s body out of the way, everyone went on with Joab to capture Sheba son of Bicri.

14 Meanwhile, Sheba traveled through all the tribes of Israel and eventually came to the town of Abel-beth-maacah. All the members of his own clan, the Bicrites,[d]assembled for battle and followed him into the town.15 When Joab’s forces arrived, they attacked Abel-beth-maacah. They built a siege ramp against the town’s fortifications and began battering down the wall.16 But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.”17 As he approached, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?”

“I am,” he replied.

So she said, “Listen carefully to your servant.”

“I’m listening,” he said.

18 Then she continued, “There used to be a saying, ‘If you want to settle an argument, ask advice at the town of Abel.’19 I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel.[e] Why do you want to devour what belongs to the Lord?”

20 And Joab replied, “Believe me, I don’t want to devour or destroy your town!21 That’s not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.”

“All right,” the woman replied, “we will throw his head over the wall to you.”22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba’s head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

23 Now Joab was the commander of the army of Israel. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was captain of the king’s bodyguard.24 Adoniram[f] was in charge of forced labor. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the royal historian.25 Sheva was the court secretary. Zadok and Abiathar were the priests.26 And Ira, a descendant of Jair, was David’s personal priest.

“Out of all the people God has created from the beginning of time, you are among the few that are chosen, because you have answered the Call of Love from God with truth and obedience.” ~ Jon Barnes

He Knows

God knows all of His Children and has given a Universe of physical, scientific, linguistic, and spiritual support to easily spread His Love to all of His Creation. It is so obvious that God is in control that sinners are completely blinded by their evil and acceptance of sin in their lives by choice. Believers must not become blind to God’s truth about following His Commandments. God already knows that you are potentially a fool unto yourself, by choice and still He loves you enough to give you a lifetime of chances to figure out that, God is your Father, The Creator. Follow Him.

Your Plans

It is best that your plans should line up and follow the schematics of God’s Plans and steps for you to take so that your life makes sense to you, friends, and your family.By following God’s ways and thoughts, you will be able to lead and guide your family business and the fruit of it should be good fruit. Learning how to run your own home and business will help you to balance and help out other people as needed. The practice and skill set mastered at home can be used abroad to help others. If your home is a mess, so are you!

Did You

Most people do not know anything about the perfect plans and stories of God.Ignoring truth and embracing lies are among the foundations of evil and wicked behavior. This deviant behavior defies all of God’s laws in an effort to overthrow God’s Plans, to no avail. Do not follow wicked people. Enjoy the plans God has for you by looking for specific ways that He communicates to you. When you follow God’s Plans, He will communicate and show you many amazing adventures and miracles.

Today’s Question

Did you take the perfect plan that God has placed in your life or did you reject the quality care and love God has for you?

Enjoy the Reading

2 Samuel 19

Joab Rebukes the King

19 [a]Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom.2 As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness.3 They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle.4 The king covered his face with his hands and kept on crying, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

5 Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves.6 You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased.7 Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”

8 So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him.

Meanwhile, the Israelites who had supported Absalom fled to their homes.9 And throughout all the tribes of Israel there was much discussion and argument going on. The people were saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but Absalom chased him out of the country.10 Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?”

11 Then King David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to say to the elders of Judah, “Why are you the last ones to welcome back the king into his palace? For I have heard that all Israel is ready.12 You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?”13 And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.”

14 Then Amasa[b] convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, “Return to us, and bring back all who are with you.”

David’s Return to Jerusalem

15 So the king started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river.16 Shimei son of Gera, the man from Bahurim in Benjamin, hurried across with the men of Judah to welcome King David.17 A thousand other men from the tribe of Benjamin were with him, including Ziba, the chief servant of the house of Saul, and Ziba’s fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan to meet the king.18 They crossed the shallows of the Jordan to bring the king’s household across the river, helping him in every way they could.

David’s Mercy to Shimei

As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei fell down before him.19 “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind.20 I know how much I sinned. That is why I have come here today, the very first person in all Israel[c] to greet my lord the king.”

21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the Lord’s anointed king!”

22 “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah!” David exclaimed. “Why have you become my adversary[d] today? This is not a day for execution, for today I am once again the king of Israel!”23 Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.”

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

24 Now Mephibosheth,[e] Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem.25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.

26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey[f] so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled.27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best.28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”

29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”

30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”

David’s Kindness to Barzillai

31 Barzillai of Gilead had come down from Rogelim to escort the king across the Jordan.32 He was very old—eighty years of age—and very wealthy. He was the one who had provided food for the king during his stay in Mahanaim.33 “Come across with me and live in Jerusalem,” the king said to Barzillai. “I will take care of you there.”

34 “No,” he replied, “I am far too old to go with the king to Jerusalem.35 I am eighty years old today, and I can no longer enjoy anything. Food and wine are no longer tasty, and I cannot hear the singers as they sing. I would only be a burden to my lord the king.36 Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need!37 Then let me return again to die in my own town, where my father and mother are buried. But here is your servant, my son Kimham. Let him go with my lord the king and receive whatever you want to give him.”

38 “Good,” the king agreed. “Kimham will go with me, and I will help him in any way you would like. And I will do for you anything you want.”39 So all the people crossed the Jordan with the king. After David had blessed Barzillai and kissed him, Barzillai returned to his own home.

40 The king then crossed over to Gilgal, taking Kimham with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel escorted the king on his way.

An Argument over the King

41 But all the men of Israel complained to the king, “The men of Judah stole the king and didn’t give us the honor of helping take you, your household, and all your men across the Jordan.”

42 The men of Judah replied, “The king is one of our own kinsmen. Why should this make you angry? We haven’t eaten any of the king’s food or received any special favors!”

43 “But there are ten tribes in Israel,” the others replied. “So we have ten times as much right to the king as you do. What right do you have to treat us with such contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing him back to be our king again?” The argument continued back and forth, and the men of Judah spoke even more harshly than the men of Israel.

“Often times, people will say things to see if they can get a reaction from you, because they are hiding behind a wall of something that they don’t fully understand or care about.” ~ Jon Barnes

Hiding

Lies are hidden behind, between, and in front of half truthful statements, from wicked people. You must always do your own homework and balance what people say, what you read, and the number of things you can accomplish and comprehend in a day.Each step of integrity requires patient movements and exercises in faith to work out and expose negative issues, false statements, and evil intentions.Allow God to show you what you or someone else is hiding so that He can counsel you in all things.

Response

A truthful response will always give the best results and God will organize your steps, protection, and plans of action. Avoid accidents by stating and carefully exercising your faith and good works in doing the truth. People are watching you to see if you are faithful to God. If you are not, they will talk about you like a dog. Solutions become clear, on point, and most efficient with your time management, health, life, and spiritual issues, because of your faith in God. Then people will positively respond to your meetings, work, and physical presence.

Presence

The presence of God gives you the power, understanding, and will to do the right things in life and you are never alone. There is always good work to be done. When you have a true relationship with God, you can ask questions and get real answers to daily issues and success is at every hand, whether you know it or not. You may not like the answers, assignments, or plans that you get, but the stories from the completed missions are always awesome with God. Trust Him.By the way, at least the pressures in life become manageable, meaningful, and properly dispersed, which allows your joy, happiness, and love to flow with positive reactions, fulfillment, and contentment!

Today’s Question

Are you reacting to people’s negative issues in a positive way, while finishing your job for God?

Enjoy The Reading

2 Samuel 18

Absalom’s Defeat and Death

18 David now mustered the men who were with him and appointed generals and captains[a]to lead them.2 He sent the troops out in three groups, placing one group under Joab, one under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and one under Ittai, the man from Gath. The king told his troops, “I am going out with you.”

3 But his men objected strongly. “You must not go,” they urged. “If we have to turn and run—and even if half of us die—it will make no difference to Absalom’s troops; they will be looking only for you. You are worth 10,000 of us,[b] and it is better that you stay here in the town and send help if we need it.”

4 “If you think that’s the best plan, I’ll do it,” the king answered. So he stood alongside the gate of the town as all the troops marched out in groups of hundreds and of thousands.

5 And the king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom.” And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders.

6 So the battle began in the forest of Ephraim,7 and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David’s men. There was a great slaughter that day, and 20,000 men laid down their lives.8 The battle raged all across the countryside, and more men died because of the forest than were killed by the sword.

9 During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair[c] got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.10 One of David’s men saw what had happened and told Joab, “I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree.”

11 “What?” Joab demanded. “You saw him there and didn’t kill him? I would have rewarded you with ten pieces of silver[d] and a hero’s belt!”

12 “I would not kill the king’s son for even a thousand pieces of silver,[e]” the man replied to Joab. “We all heard the king say to you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘For my sake, please spare young Absalom.’13 And if I had betrayed the king by killing his son—and the king would certainly find out who did it—you yourself would be the first to abandon me.”

14 “Enough of this nonsense,” Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom’s heart as he dangled, still alive, in the great tree.15 Ten of Joab’s young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.

16 Then Joab blew the ram’s horn, and his men returned from chasing the army of Israel.17 They threw Absalom’s body into a deep pit in the forest and piled a great heap of stones over it. And all Israel fled to their homes.

18 During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to carry on my name.” He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom’s Monument to this day.

David Mourns Absalom’s Death

19 Then Zadok’s son Ahimaaz said, “Let me run to the king with the good news that the Lordhas rescued him from his enemies.”

20 “No,” Joab told him, “it wouldn’t be good news to the king that his son is dead. You can be my messenger another time, but not today.”

21 Then Joab said to a man from Ethiopia,[f] “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The man bowed and ran off.

“Why should you go, my son?” Joab replied. “There will be no reward for your news.”

23 “Yes, but let me go anyway,” he begged.

Joab finally said, “All right, go ahead.” So Ahimaaz took the less demanding route by way of the plain and ran to Mahanaim ahead of the Ethiopian.

24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates of the town, the watchman climbed to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked, he saw a lone man running toward them.25 He shouted the news down to David, and the king replied, “If he is alone, he has news.”

As the messenger came closer,26 the watchman saw another man running toward them. He shouted down, “Here comes another one!”

The king replied, “He also will have news.”

27 “The first man runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok,” the watchman said.

“He is a good man and comes with good news,” the king replied.

28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “Everything is all right!” He bowed before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise to the Lord your God, who has handed over the rebels who dared to stand against my lord the king.”

29 “What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?”

Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab told me to come, there was a lot of commotion. But I didn’t know what was happening.”

30 “Wait here,” the king told him. So Ahimaaz stepped aside.

31 Then the man from Ethiopia arrived and said, “I have good news for my lord the king. Today the Lord has rescued you from all those who rebelled against you.”

32 “What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?”

And the Ethiopian replied, “May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!”

33 [g]The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”